# Support for Learning

The college has an excellent reputation for the quality and range of support that it offers students. Student Services is a team of committed and well qualified people, helping students through their studies and through college life.

Learning Support Learning Centres and Libraries Financial Support and Accommodation Counselling Careers and Guidance Transport

Learning Support
Support for Students with Learning Difficulties, Disabilities and Mental Health Difficulties

BooksThe Learning Support Team at the college provides an extensive range of both human and technical support for all students requiring assistance, whether arising from a learning difficulty (eg. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia); physical disability (eg. arthritis); sensory impairment (visual or hearing); mental health difficulty (eg. depression); or any other problem, which has a long term, adverse affect on their ability to study.

All full time students undergo a comprehensive screening and assessment when they start their course to ascertain their needs. Learning Support is available on all five campuses to any student requiring help with coursework and assignments. The service is offered in a variety of different ways, including individual support, group work and team teaching. Students may drop in, be timetabled or make appointments on a weekly basis. A bilingual service is available.

The team also has a substantial number of learning support assistants and non-medical helpers, who support students on a 1-1 or small group basis within the classroom environment.

Technical support comes in the form of digital recorders and laptops, with specialist software, which are available on loan to students in further education. Students studying at a higher education level will be assisted in the pursuit of the Disabled Students’ Allowance, which helps fund technical equipment and human support.

If you require any additional information, please contact Gail Bowen, Learning Support Manager on 01554 748280 or 748376 e-mail gail.bowen@colegsirgar.ac.uk

 Learning Centres and Libraries
There are learning centres at four of our campuses, at Graig, Pibwrlwyd, Ammanford and Gelli Aur Learning Centreand they are all open for use by any of our students.  They all offer a wide range of multimedia resources as well as a substantial book stock, newspapers, videos and periodicals and on-line information. If the material required should be at another campus then we provide an inter-library loan system to ensure you have access to the resources students need. 

If students want to catch up with work during a free period, lunch break or after college, we provide facilities to enable them to use a computer, access the internet, print, photocopy or quiet study. Most importantly we have supportive friendly staff available to help you find the best quality information.

Click here to go to the Learning Centre web sites

Contact Liz Harries, College Librarian on 01554 748000 or email liz.harries@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Financial Support and Accommodation
There are a number of different awards, funds and grants available at the college, including scholarships.

Our student support team are available to help you, offering advice and guidance on available funding to help manage your finances.

Our finance officers offer a friendly and informal service, assisting with childcare costs as well as personal welfare issues and accommodation for students.

         Further Education Funding Schemes

         Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

        Assembly Learning Grant (FE)

        Financial Contingency Fund (FCF)

        * Please note that terms and conditions can be subject to change.

       Useful Contact Details

Student Accommodation 

The Accommodation and Welfare team can help you find accommodation in the local area.  There are a number of options available, whether students want to rent properties, or share a home. 

For further advice on available funding and a list and prices of accommodation, please contact our funding advisers on 01554 748036/748102 or email our accommodation and welfare officer debbie.williams@colegsirgar.ac.uk or jamie.davies@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Personal Counselling Service 
The college employs a qualified and experienced counsellor who offers a confidential service to students on all campuses.

Counselling can offer students the time to talk about anything that might be worrying them and it can help students explore their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental setting. 

Students will not be judged or told what to do but they will be supported in working out their own solutions and encouraged to talk through your problems in an informal setting.

This service is available free of charge to all students.

Contact Liz Brady, College Counsellor on 01554 748052 or liz.brady@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Careers Education and Guidance
One of the most difficult choices to have to make is which career path to choose, or perhaps which university to apply for.

Coleg Sir Gâr helps students through these decisions, and to help get them where they want to be. The college has a team of friendly advisors who will take students through the decisions they may need to make, and will also help them though any administrative tasks such as writing a CV or applying for university.

The College Guidance Team is a group of experienced and qualified Careers Advisers who offer friendly and informal advisory sessions on an individual or group basis.

We work in partnership with Careers Wales West to provide an impartial advice and guidance service tailored to meet individual needs.

Useful links

Careers Wales West website http://www.careerswales.com

UCAS http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges

For further information, please contact Lynn Aitken, Guidance Manager on 01554 748112/748028 or email lynn.aitken@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Transport
The college works in conjunction with the County Council to offer free transport to full-time students and to help people with disabilities to travel to college.  Please note however that some courses require students to be on campus after 4pm, which is outside of the college transport system. 

For transportation enquiries, please contact Cerith Davies, Student Services Manager on 01554 748112 or email cerith.davies@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Student Union
There is more to College life than studying.

Find out what else goes on at Coleg Sir Gâr through the Students Union. The Students Union is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS) and membership is open toStudent Union all full and part time students. The benefits of membership include discounts at local and national clothing shops, cinemas and travel etc (always take your card and ask!) The card also allows you to buy a student travel card which gives cheaper national and international travel.

The Students Union is made up of representatives elected by the students at an election held in the autumn term.

Contact Lydia Davies, Student Liaison Officer on 01554 748029 or lydia.davies@colegsirgar.ac.uk

 

Neighbourhood Policing

Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team hold a 'Beat Surgery' every Thursday between 12.30 - 1.30pm at the Graig Campus in room A32.

Here you can discuss any local issues or concerns that you may have.  They also offer a FREE Security Marking service, so pop along and get your personal belongings security marked eg. mobile phones, i-pods, laptops, notebooks etc.

We look forward to seeing you and listening to your views about your community.

For further information please contact dan.brown@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or visit: http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/carmarthenshire/neighbourhoods/hengoed/ 

Surgeries will be attended by PCSO 8017 Dan Brown (Police Community Support Officer).